Brush up your research design

Introduction

The course will provide you with a set of procedures and criteria (tips and tricks) that, in a structured manner, will help you to make decisions about your research design and methods that are consistent with your research aim. Throughout the course you’ll be invited to identify possible risks and/or inconsistencies in your design (including but not limited to risks related to having access to data sources).

Course information

ECTS: 2.5 
Number of sessions: 4
Hours per session: 3

Key Facts & Figures

Type
Course
Instruction language
English

What will you achieve?

  • The logic of this approach follows the usual phases of an empirical study, from the specification of its aim against the background of an evaluation of previous research, through case/sample selection and measurement decisions, to the production of the study’s results, their interpretation and their reporting. You will practice this approach by applying it to your own research project, focusing on rigor, relevance and practicalities of your research design.
  • The course is designed and primarily useful for PhD candidates who are about to complete their research design. It can however also be useful for candidates who are at the beginning of their project and therefore still do not have a research design. It can also be useful for candidates who already completed their research design and like to have help with reflecting and elaborating on its quality and coherence.

Start dates

Dates to be determined.

 

Session descriptions

  • Tips and tricks to specify your research aim in such detail that it will steer you in the design of your project, and for specifying a research design and a sample that are consistent with this research aim.
  • Preparation: A description of these tips and tricks will be provided. Using these tips and tricks, you specify your research aim, and a research design and a sample that are consistent with this research aim. You will receive feedback in class.

  • Tips and tricks for specifying data collection methods and a method of data analysis that are consistent with your research aim and your research design.
  • Preparation: A description of these tips and tricks will be provided. You specify your data collection methods and a method of data analysis, using these tips and tricks. You will receive feedback in class.

  • Preparation: Describe current issues or dilemmas in your research project and/or issues discussed in class that need clarification. These issues will be discussed in an individual meeting.

About the instructor

  • Portrait of Jennifer Holland
    Jennifer A. Holland is Assistant Professor of Social Science Research Methods and the Director of the Master's in Sociology program at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences. Jennifer is an award-winning teacher. In her courses, students learn how to find empirical answers to their questions about the social world. Her expertise is in Sociology, Demography and Research Methods for the Social Sciences. And her research focuses on the social and economic consequences of family change for individuals and societies in the Europe and the United States. Previously, Jennifer held appointments at the University of Southampton (UK) and the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute, and she has collaborated on research projects at the Stockholm University Demography Unit and the Statistics Norway Research Department.

Contact

Facts & Figures

Fee
  • free for PhD candidates of the Graduate School
  • € 575,- for non-members
  • You can only enrol for one edition of this course.
  • consult our enrolment policy for more information
Tax
Not applicable
Application deadline

You can only enrol for one edition of this course.

Offered by
Graduate School
Course type
Course
Instruction language
English

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